The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-06-18

GENERAL y. p. BASKS.-From Portrait In
Harper's History of the War.
extended one Quinine was standard and
necessarily so, as nearly the whole terri
tory embraced in the theater Of war was
especially liable to malaria, often OF most
serious type. Opiates in several forms, as
morphine, Dover's powder, laudanum and
paregoric were most useful to allay pain,
check discharges, etc.
Rhubarb, castor oil and few other CO.
thartcs were always on hand.
Ether and chloroform for surgical cases
were never out OF stock.
Whisky, brandy. alcohol and wines of
various kinds were supplied freely for
medicinal uses. In war-timeS opiates were
about tho only means in use for prod Scing
sleep. The many bromides and hydrate OF
choral now used for that purpose were not
thu in vogue
The great amount Of sickness from which
the regiment suffered during the winter Of
1893, while on duty at Memphis, Tenn,
has before been spoken of. But as soon as
the field was taken at the beginning of the
'Vicksburg campaign in April, 1863, the
nealth of the organization became excel
lent and substantially remained 50 till the
war closed, Soldiers In active campaign
duty are healthier and happier than when
comparatively idle. 1t was strange some
ono in high authority did not issue some
such order as the following: Keep your
men busy, keep them busy fighting the
enemy if possible, but at any rate keep them
buSy!" Under Grant, however, such an or
der would have been useless, as he always
had his men at something, and at the same
time gave his enemy matters enough to
look after. 1t was sand above ti@st IA sol.
der on active duty Is healthier and happier.
Activity, too, enforces discipline, it gives
no time for the bro)ling of discomfort,
homesickness and spirit of insubordina-
ton.
For part of the tim, tn, hospital de-
partment was CHARTERED in u house, but in
November the regiment moved its location,
and tn N all, including the hospital, went
into fonts This mode of living became
uncomfortably cool as winter approached.
About the first Of December orders came
for the command to report AT New Orleans.
For some Caus, not now remembered 1T
became necessary for the writer to &C
company one OF tho surgeons in a night
ride back to Franklin, about fifteen miles
distant on the bayou within the Federal
lines Two horses were procured and the
trip started upon about eight o'clock p, IN.
II was lonely ride and toward mid
night every fence post seemed rebel
soldier and every bush mounted Confed-
crate cavalryman. The way seemed long
an trcsomo but ut last it was known that
QUE lines ut Franklin could not DO much
farther of. BY and by voice called out
Halt; who comes therer Friend with
out the countersign" was answered. Then
an officer came out, asked some questions
and the two tired and lonely horsemen
were passed within the Federal lines, just
Is streaks OF daylight began showing In
the eastern sky.
Thanksgiving Day Of 1863 was duly kept
by many of the troops at New Iberia. Per
haps the dinner eaten that day was but
little better than ordinary, but public serv-
ices were held in which most OF the troops
Of the 4th Division Of the 18th Corps partic-
ipated. A platform had been erected in an
open field for the SPEAKERS and about this
all gathered. Excellent instrumental
music for the occasion was furnished by
! one of the brass bands Of the division. All
who spoke expressed full confidence in tho
triumph Of the Union cause. AT the closo
all joined in singing the Doxology and the
air rang with a full chorus made up OF
thousands OF male voices.